Perhentian Excursion

The perhentian islands consist of two islands, a big one and a small one, off the coast of Malaysia. The journey to and from these islands is everything but quick- like everything in Asia ;). After flying from KL to Kota Bharu, we got a taxi to kuala besut. Kuala Besut is a very small town on the coast about an hour from Kota Bharu. We stayed the night here because the "fast taxi boats" stop at 5:00pm and being that we arrived at night-- there weren't any available. We were easily the only white people around and were asked to pose for pictures shortly after arriving. I believe you can find my picture somewhere out there on a Malaysian teenager's facebook page. I felt like a celebrity!! in reality I'm just very foreign to them :). Anyways, the next morning we caught a boat over and about 30 minutes later we were staring at the most beautiful water I have ever seen. I was quickly distracted by the smaller boats racing to us and pulling up all around us yelling to get on for 2 ringgit. I thought we were surely getting hijacked before I realized this was normal.

We stayed on the smaller island which is more of a fishing village with 1 main beach for partying, food and diving-- long beach. Coral beach is on the other side- about a 10 minute walk across the island and is less noisy and more romantic. This island was quite different from the other islands I've been to. The power is supplied from generators so they are very conservative with it. You get power from 7:00pm to 7:00 am. It was nice in many ways- separates you from the modern world- but it was annoying when you wanted to take a cold shower after a day at the beach and it was black as night in the room. It was definitely an experience. Our first night we stayed in a hut/bungalow at matahari. There was no ac but we did have a bug net over the bed for the incredibly numerous and aggressive mosquitos! The toilet was typical - a bucket you fill with water to flush the toilet. That night we didn't sleep very well-- in reality we didn't sleep well any of the nights on the island... The plot thickens.. So, on top of the heat- we listened to everything from dragons to birds make strange noises ALL night. It sounded like they could have been lying next to me on my pillow. After our dive the next day, we moved to an air con room at another place. It was great except I killed a spider the size of my fist seconds after walking in and I shared my bed with several Mosquitos - who seemed to barely notice the 98% deet I was wearing!

On a happier note- the dive was awesome. We went to the temple of the sea which is about 20 minutes by taxi boat from long beach. The water was amazingly clear and the marine life was astonishing. I've never seen so many fish! We rented a camera so we have lots of pictures but I can't upload them to my iPad :(.

The sand on these beaches is unreal. It's like powdered sugar! The food was less than mediocre and the same at every place you go-- one boat brings all the food in for such a small island. I really enjoyed my stay

After a few days of life on long beach, I was happy to be back in a bug free air con area. Kota Bharu was good to us last night- cheapest and tastiest meal I've had so far!! Wau- it has 3 menus and everything was yummy!

I am now sitting on an airplane that is very high up in the sky. I'm on my way back to KL for a night then to Koh Samui to catch a ferry back to Koh Tao. This is the first time I have actually had time and energy to write a "proper" entry in awhile. I still haven't made a decision on what I want to do next- stay in Koh Tao and do my DMT or keep moving... Decisions decisions. I will make up my mind soon- but for now I'm going back to Koh Tao to do some diving and figure a few things out ;)


Ps: I'm in love with Malaysian children. They are soooo stinkin cute!

Koh Tao to KL

So, after our time on ao nang beach in krabi- we took a bus then boat to Koh Tao. I spent my week becoming an emergency first responder and a rescue diver!! Woot woot! "diver, diver- I am a rescue diver - please inflate your BCD!". So pro. Meanwhile Stacey became an open water diver- woot woot 2x!! I had no idea that I would come to Thailand and enjoy diving as much as I have.

Koh tao has so many stray dogs- its really a major issue and very depressing. I want to start a rescue for them! They have no one to love then :( super sad.. I've spent many a baht on 7-11 food for them..
We had a blast on Koh tao and our last night we went to see a lady boy show with our two favorite swedes- Jacob and Stephanie. After the show we made our way to the beach to do the regular lotus, star bar and fish bowl routine. A few of the DMs came along and we had a great time :)

The next day we took a 2 hour ferry and an 8 hour bus to Bangkok- tough when you aren't feeling 100%. Arrived on a street corner at 2:30 am. Then took a taxi to the airport followed by a 2.5 hour wait till we were told we couldn't go to Vietnam. Stacey bought her visa online and even though hers appears to be a homemade visa by someone named Harry born in 1948-- my real visa wouldn't work because it doesn't technically start for 2 more weeks. Booooooo. So we flew to kuala lumpur Malaysia instead! It has ended up being a great choice!

After arriving and sleeping for almost a full day-- we went to central market and did some $hopping!! They had some really neat stuff- mom and dad: expect a great care package that will also include some stuff I forgot to send before!

We are staying in the grand seasons hotel- the tallest hotel in KL. Gorgeous views and a fabulous buffet-- it is incredible! Only issue: the spa is men only! My first real repressive encounter! We are easily the only white people here and everyone stares- but in a more friendly way than the Chinese. Back to being a public spectacle..

Anyways, I've had a rash for weeks- one day it's all over my back- few days later my face- then my chest- and repeats. I have a massive ear ache as well so I decided I would go to the hospital after dropping my passport off at the Thai embassy for my visa. They wouldn't help me without my passport. So, I kept walking till I found a private doctor. She informed me of a boil in my ear and put me on a zillion things for inflammation, itching, bacterial infections, etc. I now get to walk around drugged up and covered in calamine lotion- this trip has been humbling in numerous ways...

Let's hope I finally get rid of this thing!

We are flying to kota bharu tomorrow then taking a boat to the perhentian islands!! I'm very ready for more beach and sunshine.

Here are some pics and I'll be writing a blog with my future plans soon. Miss everyone! Especially my main man Ern :(